Online Automatic Pattern Generator

A while ago I released a Inkscape extension that can automatically generate patterns from shapes drawn, such as bag side panels. Not everyone has access to or uses Inkscape, so I’m working on bringing that key functionality to an online tool

Work in progress! Might have some bugs. Test with a paper model before committing to fabric.

Desktop only currently: This requires both mouse buttons. It is not yet mobile friendly.

Want to support development of more free tools?

Please donate via Paypal or Ko-fi or purchase a random pattern from this website

These free tools take up a huge amount of personal time so any support is appreciated 🙂

Grid Size (px):

Real World Grid Square Size:

Seam Allowance:

Gusset Width:

Snap to Grid:

Show Angles and Lengths:

Paper Size:

Instructions:

Draw your shape by left mouse clicking on the canvas. Where you want a split in the pattern (new pattern piece) right click. Split points are shown with red markers.

Press enter or click the finalise button to complete the shape. Multiple PDF files will be generated containing your polygon and gusset with seam allowances calculated and tiled to fit your page size.

If you need to move the points, after finalising the shape you can click and drag the points to a better position. You can also adjust the seam allowance and scaling.

Tape the edges of your printed paper together to build your pattern.

Made something cool? I’d love to see. Feel free to share your creations via the social links at the top of the page or the contact form.

Scaling:

You can choose how large you want the grid to be on the canvas, for easier snapping to the grid with more detailed pattern pieces.

The PDF is scaled based on how big each grid square is, which you specify in centimetres or inches. Use the dimensions listed on the canvas to help you judge the size if you don’t quite understand this immediately.

E.g. making the grid smaller makes the overall pattern larger (because there are more grid squares covering your shape). You can adjust the real world grid square size to a smaller value to compensate.

Printing and Assembling:

Patterns must be printed at 100% or “Actual Size” or equivalent in your printer settings. Tape the actual pages together, as there is no page margin yet. Measure a known length with a ruler to check the scale.

Known quirks:

Likely has bugs. Test whatever you generate with a paper model before commiting to fabric.
You can draw whatever, but doesn’t mean you can sew it. Patterns with sharp inwards corners you will struggle to sew.
Each gusset piece is a separate PDF, which is a bit wasteful when the gusset is narrow enough to fit multiple on one sheet.
Pattern pieces that finish right near the page border might not print the very end of the piece, as most printers have a >5mm non-printable margin. Most printers also print a bit wonky so taped together pages might not be perfectly straight. Similarly, alignment marks right at the page edge might not print because of the printer’s margin. A future fix will be to add a page cut margin.
Padding around shapes may result in blank pages in the PDF.
Linear segments only currently. I might look into curved corners and beziers in the future. For now, just draw lots of points to simulate curves, and move the points if you need to adjust them.
Wide gussets aren’t tiled.

Changelog: